An Institutional Outbreak of Hepatitis B Related to a Human Biting Carrier

Abstract

An outbreak of hepatitis B in a residential institution for the mentally retarded was studied. Initially one overt case of hepatitis was noted. A serologic screen of students and employees revealed a total of 12 individuals positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Subtyping by radioimmunoassay subsequently demonstrated that the population of HBsAg-positive individuals could be subdivided into two groups, based on the HBsAg subtype: adw2 or ayw3. The five individuals with subtype adw2 all were carriers. The ayw3 group, in contrast, were acutely infected except for one carrier with persistent hepatitis B e antigen. Both the ayw3 carrier and several of the acutely infected individuals were aggressive biters. Human biting, a frequent occurrence in the classroom studied, was one probable mode of transmission in this outbreak. The resolution of the outbreak was achieved by rapid screening for HBsAg with subtyping of positive patients and careful observation of the setting for putative modes of transmission.

Prevalence of hepatitis B among Afghan refugees living in Balochistan, Pakistan

“…20-23 Child-to-child spread usually involves contact with blood, saliva or skin sore secretions through small breaks in the skin or mucous membrane. 24,25 In either case, the results of this study have important public health implications, as the infection acquired during infancy or early childhood has a very high carrier rate and serious consequences including cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma. 1,26 The high morbidity and mortality associated with chronic HBV infection among Afghan refugees poses an additional burden to the population living in the camps, and to the relatively weak healthcare system in the province.…”

Human Bite Injury In North East England – The Impact Of Alcohol Intake On A Mode Of Violent Assault

“…It is perhaps more widely known about the risk of Hepatitis B transmission although the literature is similarly sparse with a small number of references to transmission of the disease through bite wounds (10,11). Even though it may be small, the risk is still apparent.…”

The epidemiology and prophylaxis of hepatitis B in sub-Saharan Africa: a view from tropical and subtropical Africa.

“…The initial studies confirmed the immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccines in African neonates. 30 31 In Senegal, an inactivated plasma derived vaccine (HevacB, Pasteur Institute) was given to 26 infants aged less than 1 month; 95°/O of the neonates showed a specific antibody response to HBsAg, similar to those in older children.30…”